Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed on Tuesday called on Canadian and United States authorities to revoke the visas of Special Branch Head Senior Superintendent Prem Narine and urged international pressure for the release of CCTV footage relating to what he described as a failed assassination attempt.
Speaking during a protest organised by his office outside the Canadian High Commission in Georgetown, Mohamed also demanded Narine’s imprisonment and accused the government of political persecution.
Narine is a witness in the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed.
The protest followed Mohamed’s detention for more than 72 hours before he and two employees were formally charged. The three appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty and were subsequently released on bail.
Addressing supporters, Mohamed said he was grateful to be alive.
“I am thankful for life. I would like to thank Almighty God for blessing me to ensure that I can live to see another day so that I can continue my work as the opposition leader of this country,” he said.
Mohamed alleged that efforts were being made to break him and called for action against Narine.
“I am calling on the US authorities and the Canadian authorities to ensure Prem Narine’s visa must be revoked,” he said.
He also demanded the release of CCTV recordings from the night of the alleged incident, arguing that they would help establish what occurred.
“I am calling on the international community to put pressure on this government to release the CCTV footage. Release the footage,” Mohamed said.
He further alleged that Narine had attempted to implicate him in a murder case by offering persons United States visas in exchange for their cooperation. Mohamed did not present evidence substantiating that allegation during his address.
He also claimed to have information concerning persons connected to United States Customs and Border Protection, but did not publicly substantiate those claims.
Mohamed accused Special Branch ranks of monitoring him and intruding on his family’s privacy. He urged President Irfaan Ali to concentrate on national development rather than the opposition.
He also complained that authorities had retained his cellular phone for eight days, saying it was essential to his work and communication with the public.
The protest came against the backdrop of a Guyana Police Force Facebook announcement that Narine attended his graduation ceremony at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Canada on October 15.
According to the force, Narine completed a Master of Business Administration through the Australian Institute of Business in 2024. The post congratulated him on his academic achievement.
Mohamed thanked supporters for their prayers and said he would continue his political work despite what he described as sustained pressure.
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